2019 All Star Game Announced

This year’s edition of the Harry Andreassen All-Star Challenge was announced earlier this week with PBL President Bret Keohane informing the league that the annual event will be held on Sunday August 11 at 1:00pm.

The All-Star Game will once again feature the best of the Powerline Baseball League taking on the best of the Battle River Baseball League at Harry Andreassen Field in Camrose. The PBL is coming into the game with a 10-6-2 record dating back to 2000. Since 2014, the PBL and BRBL have alternated wins, with the PBL winning 15-8 in 2018.

By having the game on a Sunday afternoon in August, both leagues are hoping to have a full complement of players available to them by avoiding playoff scenarios in both leagues. In 2017 the PBL was without players from the Holden Blue Jays and Rosalind Athletics, who were playing game three of their PBL Championship Series in Rosalind that night. In 2018 the game was on Sunday July 29th, and while all teams were present, the Armena Royals and Leduc Milleteers were in the midst of their three game PBL Championship Series which potentially limited the pitching options for the PBL. This season the game will be almost two weeks later on August 11, which could be about a week after a potential game three of the PBL Championship Series, if the weather cooperates.

PBL teams are expected to announce their All-Stars by the end of July for the coaching staff to build a lineup out of. This year the Armena Royals will be at the helm of the team as they look for their first back to back All-Star Game victory since 2013-2014.